Reflection for Sunday 1st June, 2025

(The Ascension of the Lord - Solemnity)

The Ascension of the Lord (Luke 24:46-53)

The Ascension of Jesus to heaven marks the definitive closure of his mission on earth. Numbers in the bible are full of meaning. There are forty days between Easter Sunday and Ascension Thursday.

Forty is always a time of preparation. According to St. Luke, after his Resurrection, over a period of forty days the Risen Lord appeared to various disciples in varied ways to prepare them for his final departure.

The Apostles were told that they would continue the work of Jesus. They were instructed to return to Jerusalem and to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit to empower them.

We can celebrate the Ascension in three ways.

“May he enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers.”

1. A feast of divine glory

In celebrating the return of Jesus to the Father we are proclaiming the divinity of Jesus. In today’s Second Reading we have St. Paul’s beautiful prayer for the growth of faith. “May the God of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed, to bring you to the knowledge of him.” Jesus, as Son of God, is infinitely above any imaginary power of horoscopes, astral powers, crystals or New Age guru.

2. A feast of mission.

The apostles were told to stop looking up to the sky. Look outwards, as there was a job to be done on earth. They were to carry on the mission of Jesus. The late Pope Francis referred to the painting of Jesus the Shepherd knocking on the door, not on the outside, but pleading on the inside to the apostles to bring him out! They would not be on their own as they were promised the power of the Holy Spirit. They were instructed to return to Jerusalem and to wait in prayer for this divine power from on high. Next Sunday we will celebrate Pentecost. After the Ascension there are nine days before Pentecost, the original novena, a very special time to pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to inspire and strengthen the Church in our mission to serve the Kingdom of God on earth.

3. A feast of hope.

Christ is the beginning, the head of the Church: where he has gone, we hope to follow (Preface). What a privilege it is to be members of the body of Christ on earth. Writing to the people of Ephesus, Saint Paul prayed: “May he enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers.”
Do you look forward in hope to the blessed enjoyment of God?
Do you anticipate being reunited in God’s love with your departed family and friends?